Critical Analysis of Johanson and Østergren: the Movement Toward Independent Directors on Boards: a Comparative Analysis of Sweden and the Uk

Critical Analysis of Johanson and Østergren:
The Movement Toward Independent Directors on Boards:
A Comparative Analysis of Sweden and the UK

AC6PO4 Current Issues in Accounting and Finance

Dipesh Meisuria 11062160 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance

Contents Foreword 2 Background 2 Authors 2 Article 2 Analysis 2 Summary 3 Evaluation 3 References 5 Self Evaluation Error! Bookmark not defined.

Foreword
This review will look at an article by Johanson and Østergren that compares between the UK and Sweden in Corporate Governance and the necessity of Independent Directors. This article was chosen as corporate governance structure is an important aspect in the post-Enron/WorldCom epoch and by analysing the difference between different approaches, greater understanding can be understood for competent director behaviour.
Background

Authors
Both authors of the article (Daniel Johanson and Katarina Østergren) are both professors at the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration as assistant and associate respectively in the department of accounting, auditing and law as well as holding doctorate degrees in Sweden. Katarina specializes in management accounting, the medical sector and corporate governance with eight published articles whilst Daniel has two published articles but also shows strong confidence into corporate governance focusing more into information relating to the board of directors and government regulation. Although they both share strong knowledge into corporate governance their previous work creates the assumption of cultural bias favouring the Nordic governance structure. From their academic background it can be assumed that the board structure and agency theory will be important topics to be understood from the article. Daniel is also known to use a vast amount of background research and supportive information to defend his statements.
Article
The article related to contemporary

References: Cowpertwait,S. (2004), Critique of an Academic Article, [Brochure], Massey University: Student Learning Centre, Auckland Learning Skills. (2011). Write a Critical Review. Available: http://www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/my-studies/learning/guides/appraisal. Last accessed 21 December 2012 Mort, P; Hallion, L; Downey, T.L. (2005), Writing a Critical Review, [Brochure], University of New South Wales: The Learning Centre, Sydney Ross, A; Crossan, K. (2012), A review of the influence of corporate governance on the banking crises in the United Kingdom and Germany, Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Effective Board Performance, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p215-225. Self-Evaluation Currently I have had a range of experience in my presentation skills from workshops to hosting my own events for the Accounting society and it has helped my confidence but also exposed me in areas I need to improve such as pausing and reducing the pace of my elocution as well as avoiding stammering or hesitating. I have had a wide range of academic research skills but my speed in research needs to improve as I need to improve my proficiency in extracting key information from the plethora of data and make it relevant as I fear I may be too vague. I believe I can perform well in independent learning as long as I am aware of my direction as the fear of ambiguity or straying to the wrong direction may arise but improving in this focus can also help me assess my clear objectives. My academic writing is at an acceptable standard but I am unaware of what to compare it to and I believe I have to not only practice but also review the standard of published articles so that I can attribute my skills at a competent level. Although I am very self-critical, my aim is continuous self-augmentation so it make it harder to assess myself as I progress. 148 words